Implementing New Models of Care: Leadership Reflections and Recommendations.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Leadership
• Healthcare Management
• Patient Care Models

Background:

• Healthcare systems face workforce challenges and increasing patient acuity.
• New patient care delivery models are being explored to address these issues.
• The nurse manager's role is critical in implementing care model changes, yet their experiences are understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of nurse managers implementing a new team-based patient care model.
• To identify key factors influencing the successful adoption of innovative care delivery strategies.
• To gather insights for supporting nurse managers during significant organizational change.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative, question-guided reflection exercise was conducted with three early-adopting nurse managers.
• The study focused on a new team-based care model, Partners in Care, implemented across 11 medical-surgical units.
• Reflections centered on the nurse managers' journey through the implementation process.

Main Results:

• Key themes emerged: effective resource allocation, professional governance, clear communication, adaptive monitoring and sustaining strategies, team celebration, and robust leadership support.
• Successful implementation required addressing nurse manager workload and ensuring appropriate competencies.
• A phased approach and strategic partnerships were identified as crucial elements.

Conclusions:

• Implementing new care models necessitates comprehensive support for nurse managers.
• Addressing operational factors like workload, resources, and communication is vital for success.
• The Partners in Care model highlights the importance of empowering registered nurses (RNs) and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) as care partners.